---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That good disposition which boasts of…"
description: "\"That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_disposition_that-good-disposition-which-boasts-of-be_2092812.png"
---

#  That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is…

![“That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_disposition_that-good-disposition-which-boasts-of-be_2092812.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_disposition_that-good-disposition-which-boasts-of-be_2092812.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_disposition_that-good-disposition-which-boasts-of-be_2092812.png)

> “That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.”

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑interest often suppresses genuine tenderness, even when we claim to be kind.

**In simple terms:** Self‑interest can choke kindness.

Key Takeaway

Beware selfish motives that mute compassion.

Themes

self‑interest kindness human nature

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- leadership
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

moral philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you recognize when self‑interest is limiting your empathy?
- What practices sustain tenderness despite personal gain?

A Different Perspective

Kindness may be hidden, not absent.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Boasts Tender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boasts-tender-4144549/) [Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) [Disposition Boasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition-boasts-4144548/) [Good Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-disposition-3729164/) [Self interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-interest/) [Stifled Urging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stifled-urging-4144546/) [Tender Stifled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tender-stifled-4144547/)

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> [There is no security in a good disposition if the support of good principles--that is to say, of religion, of Christian faith--be wanting. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/there-is-no-security-in-a-good-disposition-if-the-support-of-good/)

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> [A good disposition is a virtue in itself, and it is lasting; the burden of the years cannot depress it, and love that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-good-disposition-is-a-virtue-in-itself-and-it-is-lasting-the-burden/)

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> [Good culture is born of a good disposition; and since the cause is more to be praised than the effect, I will rather praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/good-culture-is-born-of-a-good-disposition-and-since-the-cause-is/)

[Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/)

> [The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-word-virtue-is-as-useful-to-self-interest-as-the-vices/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Virtues lose themselves in self-interest, as rivers in the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/virtues-lose-themselves-in-self-interest-as-rivers-in-the-sea/)

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> [Whatever pretended causes we may blame our afflictions upon, it is often nothing but self-interest and vanity that produce them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/whatever-pretended-causes-we-may-blame-our-afflictions-upon-it-is/)

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[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-name-and-pretense-of-virtue-is-as-serviceable-to-self-interest-as/)

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[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

## More by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

> [Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-own-distrust-gives-a-fair-pretence-for-the-knavery-of-other-people/)

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> [Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/behind-many-acts-that-are-thought-ridiculous-there-lie-wise-and/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/passion-often-makes-a-madman-of-the-cleverest-man-and-renders-the/)

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